Gas liquefaction or separation unit

ABSTRACT

A gas liquefaction and/or separation unit comprising at least one chamber, optionally insulated, of slender shape, wherein the chamber is arranged on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three stay cables, each connected to a second separate concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the stay cables being arranged on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground not exceeding 1 m.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a § 371 of International PCT Application PCT/FR2018/051135, filed May 4, 2018, which claims the benefit of FR1754627, filed May 24, 2017, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a unit for separating or liquefying a gas, which may optionally be movable, and to a method for transporting and reassembling the unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some units for separating or liquefying a gas, and in particular small cryogenic nitrogen generators are used to supply gas for a short period of time (several years, for example less than 10 years).

At the end of the gas supply period, the unit is, if possible, relocated to serve another customer, in a different location.

The current design thereof is based on the use of conventional foundations, which are made up of deeply buried concrete foundation blocks of suitable dimensions for withstanding local seismic and weather-related stresses (for example the load applied by a wind speed).

These foundation blocks are generally cast in place, after excavation of the ground, this requiring digging operations, and casing, and the different pieces of equipment that make up the production unit are placed on these foundation blocks and connected to the various foundation blocks by different types of system (bolts, anchor rods, chemical anchors, etc.).

WO 05028340 discloses the use of prefabricated concrete blocks placed on the ground for placing industrial equipment, such as small storage tanks and the accessories thereof (cryogenic pumps, vaporizers, enclosure), thereon. It is also known to place low-power (<1 MW) air compressors on concrete pedestals. However, these different systems have proven ineffective for insulated chambers known as cold boxes, which incorporate in particular the distillation columns.

Specifically, the latter, which have slender shapes (being very tall with a small cross section at the ground) are subjected to very high overturning forces (moments) in high winds or during earthquakes. Only the solution involving a large buried concrete foundation block, thereby creating ballast, has hitherto ensured the stability of this type of equipment.

The drawback of such a system resides in the lack of mobility thereof. Specifically, when the unit is relocated at the end of the period of production, these buried concrete foundation blocks remain in the ground and new ones are constructed at the new site. This therefore constitutes a deadweight loss since it is necessary to pay for and build new foundation blocks.

In order to avoid these massive buried foundations, the critical equipment (cold box) will be placed on a prefabricated concrete block that is placed on the ground. Its only function will be to statically take up the load of the equipment placed on top depending on the nature and the load-bearing capacity of the ground. Resistance to seismic or weather-related attack will be ensured by the presence of at least three guy wires, which will each connect the cold box to at least one prefabricated concrete block that is itself placed on the ground. Each of the N guy wires making up the system will be disposed such that they form an angle more or less equal to 360/N degrees between one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one subject of the invention, a unit for separating and/or liquefying a gas is provided, comprising at least one chamber, optionally insulated, of slender shape, characterized in that the chamber is disposed on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three guy wires, each connected to a separate second concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires being disposed on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and the second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground that does not exceed 1 m, preferably 0.7 m, typically 0.5 m.

According to other optional subjects, which can each be combined with one another within the limit of logically possible combinations:

-   -   the first and/or the second block(s) is/are prefabricated.     -   the polygon is a regular polygon.     -   the polygon is an irregular polygon.     -   the polygon is a triangle or a quadrilateral.     -   the polygon is an isosceles triangle, an equilateral triangle, a         square, a rectangle, a pentagon.     -   the chamber is/contains a distillation or washing column,         optionally capable of working at a cryogenic temperature.     -   the chamber has a height H above the reference level of the         ground and the guy wires are connected to points of the chamber         that are situated at a height above the reference level of the         ground of between 0.5H and 1H, preferably between 0.5H and 0.7H.     -   the chamber has a height H above the reference level of the         ground and a perimeter P about the chamber, following a         direction perpendicular to the height, the ratio between H and P         being greater than 1.5, or even greater than 2.     -   the maximum dimension of each of the first and second blocks is         less than the height of the chamber.     -   the weight of each of the first and second blocks is less than         the weight of the chamber.     -   at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least         one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other         than the chamber.     -   the at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction         unit other than the chamber is another chamber, a compressor for         a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a         turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a         motor, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from         the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a         gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station         or an office.     -   the unit comprises position references for at least one of the         first and second blocks indicating the relative disposition of         the chamber and/or of the guy wires and/or of an element of the         unit.

According to another subject of the invention, a method for transporting and reassembling a chamber of a unit for separating or liquefying a gas as described above is provided, wherein the chamber and optionally the first and/or at least one of the second concrete blocks is/are transported from one site to another and the chamber is reassembled on a/the first block, using guy wires attached to second blocks/the second blocks in order to keep the chamber in position.

Therefore, it is possible to transport at least one block from one site to the other or otherwise to use existing blocks at a site for reassembly.

By using the abovementioned references, it is possible to have the same disposition of the connection of pipes between the elements and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit at the two sites.

According to another subject of the invention, a method for separating and/or liquefying a gas in a unit as claimed in one of claims 1 and 10 is provided, the separation and/or liquefaction taking place in the chamber containing a separation and/or liquefaction apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be clearly understood and its advantages will arise from the description which follows, given merely as a non-limitative example, and with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 provides a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1, the chamber E is disposed on a concrete foundation block 1, illustrated here with a square cross section (although any other geometry would be suitable, for example a rectangle or an octagon), which is placed on the ground and the depth of which below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 1 m, preferably 0.7 m, typically 0.5 m. The block 1 is preferably prefabricated. The chamber E can be a distillation or washing column or a liquefaction apparatus. It can be insulated by a space under vacuum around the column or be held inside a cold box filled with pulverulent insulation. The chamber is held in place by three guy wires 3 attached to three points of the chamber at preferably the same height but at an angle of 120° around the perimeter of the chamber, if the latter is cylindrical. The chamber has a height H above the reference level of the ground and a perimeter P about the chamber, following a direction perpendicular to the height, the ratio between H and P being greater than 1.5, or even greater than 2.

The guy wires are attached to three concrete foundation blocks 2 placed on the ground, each at substantially the same distance from the foundation block 1. Nevertheless, in order to take into account the disposition of a site or prevailing winds, the guy wires can have different lengths and the foundation blocks 2 can be at different distances from the foundation block 1. The blocks 2 are preferably prefabricated.

Other elements 4 of the separation or liquefaction apparatus are disposed in the vicinity of the blocks 1, 2, these being able to be a compression unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, if the chamber has a height H above the ground, the guy wires 3 are connected to points of the chamber E that are situated at a height above the ground of between 0.5H and 1H.

In this case, the blocks 2 are disposed on the ground in a manner forming the points of an equilateral triangle, but more generally, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires are disposed on the ground at the corners of a regular or irregular polygon. This polygon may be for example an isosceles triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, etc.

In this case, the guy wires 3 form angles of 120° between one another on the horizontal plane.

The maximum size of each of the first and second blocks 1, 2 is less than the height of the chamber E and the weight of each of the first and second blocks 1, 2 is less than the weight of the chamber E.

At least one of the second blocks 2 acts as a support for an element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber E.

For example, it is possible to dispose a compressor for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station, an office, etc. therein.

It is possible to transport a chamber from one site to another and reassemble the chamber using the same foundation blocks likewise transported to the other site. Otherwise, the foundation blocks can be available at one or more sites and the chamber arrives and is anchored using the foundation blocks available on site.

If at least one foundation block is transported, it is conceivable to choose the dimensions thereof so as to be able to transport it/them with the chamber, for example in the same container.

Position referencing systems will then be used to be able to position the different pieces of equipment, including mainly the chamber E, the compressor(s), the gas purification system, on their respective concrete blocks such that the concrete blocks are disposed in exactly the same way at both sites. The connection of pipes between the pieces of equipment is thus identical from one site to another.

This facilitates the connection between the elements of the unit and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit on site.

Among the different possible position referencing systems, the use of installation templates may be noted.

The manner of anchoring the chamber is particularly advantageous for a mobile unit but may also form an inexpensive technique for keeping a chamber permanently at a single site.

The chamber may work at a temperature below 0° C., for example at a cryogenic temperature.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Comprising” in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of “comprising”). “Comprising” as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” unless otherwise indicated herein.

“Providing” in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A unit for separating and/or liquefying a gas, the unit comprising at least one chamber, wherein the chamber is disposed on a first concrete block and the chamber is anchored to the ground by means of at least three guy wires, with each guy wire connected to a separate second concrete block, the second concrete blocks connected to the guy wires being disposed on the ground at the corners of a polygon, the first and the second blocks having a depth below the reference level of the ground that does not exceed 1 m.
 15. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.7 m.
 16. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the depth below the reference level of the ground does not exceed 0.5 m.
 17. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one chamber is insulated.
 18. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the polygon is a regular polygon.
 19. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the polygon is a triangle or a quadrilateral.
 20. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber has a height H above the reference level of the ground and the guy wires are connected to points of the chamber that are situated at a height above the reference level of the ground of between 0.5H and 1H, preferably between 0.5H and 0.7H.
 21. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the maximum size of each of the first and second blocks is less than the height of the chamber and the weight of each of the first and second blocks is less than the weight of the chamber.
 22. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber.
 23. The unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein the element is another chamber, a compressor for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a storage tank, a turbine for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a motor, a purification unit for a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a heat exchanger for modifying the temperature of a gas intended for or coming from the chamber, a weather station or an office.
 24. The unit as claimed in claim 22, further comprising position references for at least one of the first and second blocks indicating the relative disposition of the chamber and/or of the guy wires and/or of an element of the unit.
 25. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first block is prefabricated and/or the second blocks are prefabricated.
 26. The unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber is/contains a distillation or washing column, optionally capable of working at a cryogenic temperature.
 27. A method for transporting and reassembling a chamber of a unit for separating or liquefying a gas as claimed in claim 14, wherein the chamber is transported from one site to another and the chamber is reassembled on the first block, using guy wires attached to the second blocks in order to keep the chamber in position.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one of the second blocks acts as a support for at least one element of the separation and/or liquefaction unit other than the chamber, wherein the references are used so as to have the same disposition of the connection of pipes between the elements and/or between a chamber and an element of the unit at the two sites. 